With a huge international TV audience in over 190 countries, the eyes of the cycling world will be on Wirral on Wednesday 11 September when stage five of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain visits the peninsula for the first time.

A highlight of Wirral’s year as Borough of Culture, the race starts and finishes in Birkenhead Park and offers fantastic opportunities for residents and visitors to watch world-class cycling for free along a gruelling 174.1km route.

The race itself will feature 20 teams, including 11 fresh from the Tour de France, a Great Britain team, and five UCI ProContinental squads, led by Corendon – Circus Cycling Team, who are already confirmed as bringing rising star Mathieu van der Poel to the race.

Britain's most successful rider of all time, Mark Cavendish and Wirral-born Steve Cummings have also been announced as part of Team Dimension Data.

Route details, timings and best places to watch

The OVO Tour of Britain will pass through historic Port Sunlight and into Cheshire West and Chester. The route will return to Wirral via Heswall, Caldy and Hoylake, before passing through the Birkenhead Park finish line. It will then take in a loop through Seacombe, Wallasey and New Brighton.

With high levels of traffic expected, and road closures and parking restrictions along the route, residents and visitors are encouraged to use public transport.

Live coverage and highlights of each stage of the OVO Tour of Britain will be broadcast on ITV4 in the UK.

The Wirral Stage of OVO Energy Tour of Britain on Wednesday 11 September is supported by Airbus, Cambrianway, Mott McDonald, Amey Consulting, KDE Ltd and A E Yates Ltd.

Important information for residents

Road closures

A number of road closures will be in place on 10 and 11 September. This is to ensure the safe passage of the race.

The majority of road closures are ‘rolling’ closures, meaning the road and adjoining junctions will only be closed for a short period of around 45 minutes whilst the riders pass.

A small number of roads will be closed for the duration of the race, whilst Ashville Road and Cavendish Road in Birkenhead will close from 6pm on Tuesday 10 September, and reopen after the race at 6pm on Wednesday 11 September.